Ronde Barber (36)

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Barber is the active league leader for consecutive starts (197).

Tampa Bay had a solid cornerback in Aqib Talib. But after being placed on IR with a nagging hamstring injury and facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, his days there may be numbered.

Barber has already won a Super Bowl, and the chances of another one are nonexistent for this year as the Bucs have faded from relevance in the NFC.

The five-time Pro Bowler is signed to a one-year deal and may want to call it a career while he’s still healthy.

Brian Dawkins (38) and Champ Bailey (33)

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There are 18 Pro Bowl appearances between these two defensive backs who have both found their way to the Mile High City.

Both guys have missed some games this season, and Dawkins is back to practice after a neck injury kept him out of the game against the Patriots. His experience and hard-hitting presence in the secondary was definitely missed as tight end Aaron Hernandez gained 129 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Bailey is still a top-level corner who can shut down a side of the field, and the Tim Tebow factor is an interesting motivator for any player.

If things continued the way they were in the beginning of the season, then Dawkins would have retired come the end of it. But now he may want to stick around for one more year of the Tebow era. Bailey either way would have had a year or two left if he stayed healthy.

Peyton Manning (35) & Jeff Saturday (36)

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Manning’s started more games with Saturday than with Reggie Wayne or Marvin Harrison.

And even if the Colts draft Andrew Luck, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Manning return. A talented young quarterback learning under a record-setting veteran worked perfectly in Green Bay, and it’s likely the same will be done in Indy. Pencil Manning in for a few more seasons.

Saturday’s remained healthy throughout his career, but he’s in the last year of a three-year contract, originally intended for him to finish as a Colt. Having an experienced center is helpful for quarterbacks of any age, so Saturday can both help Manning return or help Luck learn the ropes. He may stick around for one more year.

Donovan McNabb (35)

Since then no team has taken a chance on him, even though multiple starting quarterbacks have gone down with injuries. Instead, teams like the Bears and Texans have decided to push forward with their young backups.

The former No. 2 pick is 17th all time in passing yards, but it looks like it’s too late in the year for McNabb to get with another team. If he doesn’t find a new home once April starts and the rookie QBs get drafted, McNabb will probably be done.

Ray Lewis (36)

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The Ravens were careful with his turf toe, which kept him out of multiple games. Now healthy Lewis has gotten right back to business with 10 tackles (nine solo) against San Diego. He is now 13 tackles away from reaching 2,000 for his career (via pro-football-reference.com).

He still plays at an elite level, which he has sustained for 15-plus years, but the toll on his body has to be wearing on him. His work ethic and conditioning can keep his body going for some time, but he will only want to play at his best, meaning Lewis may retire, rather than slowly fade away.

I really hope this isn’t his last season, but I’ve been on Ray Lewis retirement watch every recent offseason. And with the team contending for a Super Bowl, Lewis may give everything he’s got left for a final run. If the Ravens reach the big game, retiring as a champion would be fitting for the Hall of Famer.